Two dead, multiple people injured in explosion at Pennsylvania nursing home

Pennsylvania officials said Tuesday evening that two people were killed and others were wounded in a gas explosion at a nursing home in Bristol.

Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed the explosion occurred at Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bucks County, but the number of those injured and the status of their conditions were not clear. 

Shapiro said during a news conference that other residents at the nursing home are still missing. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released.

"Tonight in Bristol, our first responders displayed extraordinary courage as they bravely ran towards danger to get residents, their loved ones, and staff at Silver Lake Nursing Home to safety," Shapiro said on X. "Lori and I are praying for those who are injured, those who are missing, and the families of those who are now about to celebrate Christmas with an empty chair at their table."

The explosion and a subsequent fire caused the building to partially collapse, according to NBC Philadelphia, and firefighters from Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania and Burlington County in New Jersey responded to the scene.

The incident comes after the state found the nursing home was not in compliance with several requirements of the Life Safety Code as of October, including lacking a Life Safety Code Floor Plan that shows where fire barriers, exits and smoke barriers are.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.